...the mystery of Azaria Chamberlain's disappearance in the Australian Outback in 1980 became the most notorious, divisive and baffling legal drama in the country's history. Had a wild dog really taken the baby? Or had Azaria's mother, Lindy, slit her daughter's throat and buried her in the desert?

Thirty-two years later, Australian officials hope to finally, definitively, determine how Azaria died when the Northern Territory coroner opens a fourth inquest on Friday (Feb. 24). Lindy Chamberlain, who was convicted of murdering her daughter and later cleared, is still waiting for authorities to close the case that made her the most hated person in Australia.

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But to Australians, the case is about much more than the guilt or innocence of one woman. It is about the guilt or innocence of a nation — a nation that prides itself on the concept of a "fair go," an equal chance, for all. Did Lindy Chamberlain get a fair go? Or had Australians misjudged this woman? With doubts growing about just how fair and tolerant they truly were, many wondered if they had misjudged themselves.

And so Australia will once again try to get to the bottom of one of the most painful chapters in its history.

Chamberlain spoke at Andrews shortly after she was released from prison. She gave some background on the story--have to say, her personality wasn't particularly endearing and probably didn't help her case very much.

Some of the vignettes she shared did not make sense--she told a story of church members helping them to move to a different home. She was annoyed when they moved the refrigerator because items inside had spilled during transport.

Who doesn't empty a refrigerator before moving it?!

Weird that I still recall that story--but it was obvious that she thought the congregation should understand her irritation with their volunteers. That was the part that stood out in my mind.

In terms of Australia and Adventism . . . it's, well, like California--a brand of Adventism that is hardly recognizable to those of us in the States.

I'm certain that is true, based on things I have read and heard of the SDA condition in Australia. Perhaps the media is different, as well. I still believe opinion can be turned on a dime anywhere on earth, given the right circumstances of ability to spin things.